| If you're married, your spouse is probably | | | | The last thing your spouse needs to worry |
| the most important person in your life. You | | | | about if something unexpected happens to you |
| and your spouse depend on each other for many | | | | is arguing over your assets. Yet while most |
| things, from sharing chores to making your | | | | states take steps to protect your spouse even |
| joint finances work. From being there to | | | | if you fail to do so yourself in a will, not |
| support you when you need it to helping you | | | | all states give your spouse the flexibility |
| raise your family, your spouse selflessly | | | | to take full control of the family finances |
| gives you his or her love and care. | | | | after your death. By explicitly giving your |
| | | | spouse power over your assets, you can help |
| Too many people, however, fail to consider | | | | ensure that your spouse will do everything |
| fully all of the financial risks that most | | | | necessary to guide your family through any |
| couples face. With families increasingly | | | | tough times. |
| having to rely on paychecks from both spouses | | | | |
| to make ends meet, an unexpected tragedy can | | | | 3. Talk about investing. |
| put you in a world of hurt. Yet by taking | | | | |
| just a few steps to protect your spouse, you | | | | With many couples, only one spouse actively |
| can make sure that no matter what happens, | | | | invests the family money. This works fine |
| your spouse will be able to carry on even if | | | | unless something happens to the family's |
| you can't keep giving your full support. | | | | financial manager. If you're the one managing |
| | | | your family's investments, make sure your |
| 1. Get some insurance. | | | | spouse has at least a working knowledge of |
| | | | everything you're doing. Whether your |
| To your family, you're irreplaceable. Whether | | | | investment strategy primarily uses ETFs like |
| or not you earn money for the work you do, | | | | SPDR Trust (AMEX: SPY) and iShares Russell |
| your family will have a difficult time | | | | 2000 (NYSE: IWM) or you own individual |
| getting by without your contribution toward | | | | stocks, your spouse should know enough about |
| its well-being. Although insurance benefits | | | | what you're doing to be able to keep things |
| can't take away the grief your loved ones | | | | going for a few months without constant |
| will feel, the money they receive can help | | | | attention. Without your help, your spouse may |
| them avoid the financial difficulties that | | | | make crucial mistakes that you could easily |
| often follow tragic events. But don't let the | | | | have avoided. |
| myriad options confuse you. A combination of | | | | |
| term life, disability, and long-term-care | | | | When you married your spouse, you promised to |
| insurance may help your spouse keep | | | | do everything you could for him or her. When |
| everything under control during trying | | | | it comes to financial planning, protecting |
| circumstances. | | | | your spouse requires just a little effort -- |
| | | | but that effort can make all the difference |
| 2. Write a will. | | | | for your family's future. |
| | | | |